Winter Block Heaters?

[HUDcripple]

Hi all,

I live in Winnipeg, Canada, (you know - north of North Dakota ) and I recently purchased an 01 X5 4.4. When I asked the dealer about a block heater (it gets to -40 deg here in the winter), he said that the SAE5w30 synthetic oil can handle that no problem, and that they don't install block heaters in their vehicles...

I am not so sure. I always thought, regardless of the motor oil used, a block heater would ensure an easy engine start, and avoid the risk of a cracked block.

Does anyone have an opinion or info on this topic? I appreciate any input; I guess it'll be cheaper to install a block heater than to replace the engine block, but I don't know. Thanks for your help!

HC

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

I don't think it will have any problems, I'd follow the dealers advice...

 

[laserneedle]

I also live in a very cold climate and use a block heater on my 2001 X5. When temperatures start dropping to -40C then even the best 30 synth oil will become thick enough to create enough pressure to blow a seal and leak into the engine. I also upped my car battery to 875 ccc. Repeated starting of the car in extreme cold weather is very hard on the engine. Go for the block heater.

 

[PhatBimmer]

I've never seen one but I never needed one, and -40C = -40F? thats what all the conversion things say and I thought C is different from F???

Nevermind I found out and damn thats cold